讀後心得

The United States began implementing new trade regulations on April 5, affecting countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom. Goods already in transit are granted a 51-day grace period; if they arrive before May 27, they can be exempt from a 10% tariff. The upcoming reciprocal tariffs will have rates ranging from 11% to 50%, with European Union goods at 20%, Taiwan at 32%, and China reaching 34%, leading to an accumulated tariff rate as high as 54%. Trump claimed that this move would lead the U.S. back to its "golden era," but the stock market immediately plummeted. China has implemented a 34% counter-tariff on U.S. goods, and the European Union also plans to retaliate. Economists warn that this will lead to rising consumer prices in the U.S. and globally, signaling a significant shift in trade policy.

Starting from 12:01 AM Eastern Time on Saturday (April 5), new regulations will be implemented at U.S. ports, airports, and customs warehouses, with the first affected countries including Australia, the United Kingdom, Colombia, Argentina, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. However, according to the announcement from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, goods that were shipped or boarded for the U.S. before midnight on Saturday will have a 51-day grace period. If these goods can arrive before 12:01 AM Eastern Time on May 27, they will be exempt from the 10% tariff.

Next, the "reciprocal tariffs" will take effect on Wednesday (April 9), with rates ranging from 11% to 50%. EU goods will face a 20% tariff, and Taiwanese goods will be at 32%. Chinese goods will be subjected to a 34% tariff, which, when combined with the previously imposed 20% tariff on Chinese imports, results in a cumulative rate of 54%. Trump stated this Wednesday when announcing the new tariff policy that it would bring the U.S. back to a "golden age," but subsequently, the stock market dropped significantly, with the market value of S&P 500 companies evaporating by $5 trillion in two days.

On Friday, China implemented a 34% counter-tariff on U.S. imported goods, and the EU also indicated they would take retaliatory measures, while other countries, including India, chose to wait and see. This is the most aggressive step Trump has taken in terms of trade policy so far. Experts pointed out that U.S. consumers will face significant price increases, while consumers in other regions will also feel the pressure. A trade lawyer from Hogan Lovells and a trade advisor during Trump's first term in the White House mentioned, "This is a major shift in how we trade with every country in the world." However, she also anticipates that these tariffs will evolve as countries negotiate to reduce rates.

• Start time of new U.S. Customs regulations: 12:01 AM Eastern Time on April 5
• First affected countries: Australia, the United Kingdom, Colombia, Argentina, Egypt, Saudi Arabia
• Goods grace period: 51 days, condition for 10% tariff exemption is arrival before May 27
• New tariff rate range: 11% to 50%
• Tariff on EU goods: 20%
• Tariff on Taiwanese goods: 32%
• Tariff on Chinese goods: 34%, cumulative tariff rate 54%
• Stock market reaction: $5 trillion market value evaporated from S&P 500
• Countermeasures from China and the EU: retaliatory tariffs